Celtics or Lakers?

For the umpteenth time the rivalry that many NBA fans were asking for is back.

Okay, I am not talking about the fans of Lebron James, the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Suns or of all the other might-be or should-be finals contenders.

Although there is next year or the next, but this is 2010 and this year after they last met in 2008, the (Boston) Celtics and the (Los Angeles) Lakers will again meet for the best-of-seven, winner-take-all National Basketball Finals. And for many Celtics and Lakers fans, the one year wait was an eternity.

Take it or leave it.

But this makes for great drama even though there are some often-times disgruntled basketball fans who have been asking for more disparity in the finals.

But just like playing the odds, the two winningest teams in the NBA again made it all the way and will again duel for the title, yes for the 12th time.

History

Now going back through NBA Finals History, the Celtics had won 17 times and the Lakers, 15 times. It would have been an even better dramatic matchup at 16 wins a piece if the Lakers won that 2008 duel, but that’s all water under the bridge now.

But these two titans only actually met 11 times in the Finals and 12 if you add the 2009-10 Season.

But what’s amazing though is that between them, they have won an astonishing 32 of the 63 NBA titles up for grabs since the league started in the 1946-47 Season. And I counted that in 40 of those 63 finals, either one of them or both of them have contended for the title, either bringing it home or not. Amazing. Yes also amazing is that I could count, although you can check it out for youself, you can find a list of all the finals winners down below.

Okay for all you who are old enough, let’s go back memory lane and take a look at all their past finals matchups including the one when the Lakers were still in Minneapolis. Yes, for all you younger NBA fans, the Lakers used to be in Minneapolis prior to 1960.

Elgin Baylor, 1959 Rookie of the Year Minneapolis Lakers. www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/mpls/

First Celtics-Lakers Rivalry 1959-69

Year

Winner

MVP

1959

Celtics

-

1962

Celtics

-

1963

Celtics

-

1965

Celtics

-

1966

Celtics

-

1968

Celtics

-

1969

Celtics

Jerry West

2nd Generation Celtics-Lakers Rivalry (1980s)

Year

Winner

MVP

1984

Celtics

Larry Bird

1985

Lakers

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

1987

Lakers

Magic Johnson

I myself did not start watching the NBA until the 1970s. But probably like a lot of you who follow the Lakers today, I only started watching them in the 1980s.

I followed the Celtics too since the 80s, don't get me wrong but I live in the West Coast, so I'm slightly biased.

And yes, who would forget the Famed Larry Bird – Magic Johnson Era whose two teams owned the 80s? And the start of what I would call the Second Generation Celtics-Lakers Rivalry, even though the Celtics and the Lakers only actually met three times in the Finals.

But then again, along came Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons and of course Olajuwon and the Rockets.

And then a guy named Michael Jordan and this coach named Phil Jackson who along with the rest of the Bulls was almost unstoppable in the 90s.

A good thing Michael retired and Duncan, Robinson and the rest of the Spurs stepped up to fill the void.

Today at the start of the new millennium, the Lakers again surged back with Kobe and the rest of the crew. But who knew the Celtics could again do their leprechaun magic and make this decade the start of the Third Generation Celtics-Lakers Rivalry, catering to a entirely new generation of basketball fans.

Third and Current Celtics Lakers Rivalry (started in 2008)

Year

Winner

MVP

2008

Celtics

Paul Pierce

2010

SEE UPDATE BELOW

SEE BELOW

Who are you going to root for?

For me, it's going to be a toss up. Especially depending on what type of officiating we are going to see, too loose or too tight or even too much of home cooking.

Any which way, ready or not, whether you like them or not, the Celtics and the Lakers are back and ready, are you game?

UPDATE 2010 NBA FINALS: Lakers Win Game 7!!!

Ray Allen shot the lights out on the way to a record 8 made three-point shots in any NBA Finals Game. Good show.

Game 3

June 8, Tuesday at the TD Garden, Boston

Ray Allen almost got another finals record 0 for 13 shot attempts (0 for 8 three-point shots). Although KG and Fisher showed the young guns how it is done, in the end, the Lakers had more gas in its gas tank and they won a big one at Boston.

Game 4

June 10, Thursday at the TD Garden, Boston

Big Baby becomes the Big Man for Boston and not to be outdone the fire-starter Little Big Man Nate Robinson. Great show.

Game 5

Paul Pierce finally showed up and the Lakers just weren't in it.

Game 6

Lakers back into Staples and they finally showed up. With or without Perkins and of course Bynum at the second half, it probably wouldn't have changed the outcome of this game. Series tied 3-3 and now the series is a best of one, winner take all game.

2010 NBA FINALS GAME 7

The Lakers didn't give up and won in dramatic fashion in the fourth quarter. The Celtics could have won but still their best came up short. Lakers wins their 16th title, one less than the Celtics 17. And Kobe Bryant wins the Finals MVP.

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Comments 4 comments

A nice article that places Lakers-Celtics matchups in their proper historical perspective. Each had fine moments without the other team being there, of course--the Lakers in the early 80's found the 76ers to be their main opponent, and Boston won two titles against Milwaukee and Phoenix in the 70's. There is something special about Boston-LA, however, and it should be a fun series.

Historically, these have been two of my favorite teams. I am going with Boston because I think they have a slightly better blend of talent and youth, and also because I live in Lawrence Kansas and watched Paul Pierce play college ball for KU. Gotta root for the Jayhawks.

Looking forward to Thursday night and the first game, however the series plays out.

Mike

J@ps 6 years ago from Southern California Author

Nicely put Mike. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Yes, can hardly wait myself.

Great Wide Open 6 years ago from The Astral Plane

Loved your hub, it was very articulate and I can tell that you really put some research into it. The series ended in a discraceful way with the 16 FT's in the fourth quarter of gm 7 and the riot afterwards.

Steven Randall

J@ps 6 years ago from Southern California Author

Thanks Great Wide Open or rather Steven. And I know what you mean, I agree it could have been a lot better.

Regarding the riots, they had that last year too, so its nothing new. Just something we can all do without though. And that is why there are many people, even living within LA who hate the Lakers and hate their "fans".